President Donald Trump has launched a furious attack on LeBron James after the NBA superstar appeared to practise his golf swing during the United States national anthem.
The viral video was recorded before the Philadelphia 76ers’ season-opening game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday.
James was standing alongside his teammates as Grammy-nominated singer Avery Wilson performed The Star-Spangled Banner.
While most of the players remained still, James moved his arms in what appeared to be a golf swing before imitating his familiar basketball shooting motion.
Trump demands an apology
Trump shared the clip on Truth Social on Thursday and accused the four-time NBA champion of disrespecting the United States.
The president called James a “total disgrace” and demanded that he apologise to American military personnel and those who died defending the country.
“While listening to our National Anthem, LeBron James disrespects our Country,” Trump wrote.
He went on to claim that he had always believed the basketball star was “no good”.
James has not publicly responded to Trump’s criticism or explained what he was doing during the anthem.
There is currently no evidence that his movements were intended as a deliberate political protest.
Video sparks heated debate
The footage spread rapidly across social media, with some users accusing James of behaving disrespectfully during the patriotic ceremony.
Others argued that he appeared to be casually warming up and that Trump was exaggerating the significance of the moment.
James has developed an interest in golf and has previously been filmed making similar practice swings, including during the national anthem before other NBA games.
His passion for the sport has grown to the point that the LeBron James Family Foundation is partnering with the PGA Tour to stage a youth-focused golf event in Akron, Ohio.
Long-running feud between Trump and LeBron
The latest controversy adds another chapter to the years-long feud between Trump and James.
James has repeatedly criticised Trump’s politics and leadership, while the president has previously attacked the basketball player’s intelligence and political activism.
Their disagreements intensified during Trump’s first term as president, particularly as James spoke publicly about racism, police violence and athletes using their platforms to demand social change.
Trump has also been a vocal critic of professional athletes who kneel or otherwise behave differently during the national anthem.
New chapter with Philadelphia
The incident occurred during James’s first regular-season appearance as a member of the Philadelphia 76ers.
The veteran joined the team ahead of his historic 24th NBA season after previously playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers.
Neither James nor the 76ers had publicly responded to Trump’s demand for an apology at the time of publication.
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